Personal Journal: A Journey

My Personal Journal: As a leader/member of the Episcopal Hawaii Diocese Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry National Consultation 2005 June 29 July 4 Holiday-Inn International, Seattle, WA Theme: “Equipping the Saints: Finding our Voice, Discerning our Gifts and Sharing our Stories” Amado I. Yoro Bishop’s Warden, St. Paul’s Church Honolulu I. As a beginner, I found myself in a New World, new faces of God’s people - servants II. Renewed Friendship – People I have met before III. There was an opportunity to build friendship and made New Friends – Expanded my world. I met several clergy members and lay members representing different Dioceses. I particularly met most of the • Filipino Priests in America 1. Winifred Vergara 2. Raynald Bonoan 3. Greg Bayaca 4. Roberto Pamatmat 5. Bartolome Estro? 6. Bayani Rico 7. William Allport 8. Mario Varona 9. Primitivo Racimo 10. Manny Sese 11. Delfin San Jose 12. Manuel Quirido, 13. Harriet Kollin 14. others • Filipino Convocation 1. First Impression – “Elephant” [in Virginia is alligator] 2. Cultural Divide – Highlander vs Lowlander 3. Compromise –in the course of discussion: Refinement 4. Meeting of the Mind – Agreement by way of Resolution 5. Revisit/Review/Revise Honolulu Concordat 1985 • Non-Filipino Church workers: I attended the Advocates & Provincial Meetings • Churches visited: Holy Family of Jesus in Tacoma, St. Marks in Seattle downtown, and St. Matthews in Auburn. I learned that these churches were built through generous pledges, voluntary and memorial donations from individual and families. • Young Adult Participation: The Music, The Skit: Burger or Rice/Dramatization/The Games: War of Sex IV. Sharing Our Stories +Respectful Discussion +ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT IN CHRIST+ [same boat; same body, same family, same roof] • Bible Study Group: Solemn Reading. Taking turn, rotation basis, no lecturing style and, picking a word, Sharing in our Own Understanding • Maintain Respect, Courtesy, Recognizing Authority and Chain of Responsibility • Sharing our Stories & Addressing Racism What we are, Who we are: Ethnicity • Discernment/Building Bridges/Mutual Ministry [Self passion ] • Growing & Resourcing our Churches: Personal, Parish/Stewardship, Planting • Discovering our Gifts [Corinthians, Ephesians, Matthew, Romans, Acts, James]. What are our gifts and theologies and ministries in the Body of Christ: A to W: Administrator, Apostle. Celibacy, Discernment, Evangelist, Exhortation, Faith, Giving, Healing, Helper, Hospitality, Intercession, Knowledge, Leader, Martyr, Mercy, Miracles, Missionary, Pastor, Prophecy, Service, Teaching, Wisdom [1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Matthew, Romans, James, Acts] GIFTS AND MINISTRIES IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. 1. Administrator [1 Corinthians 12:28] = Makes plans and decisions and gives directions that result in the attainment of goals; delegates, organizes, gives oversight 2. Apostle [Ephesians 4:11] = Speaks with authority to other churches; goes out from own congregation; usually to teach, organize, lead or preach 3. Celibacy [Matthew 19:11] = Enjoys being single; finds true relationship with the Lord instead of another person; no regrets in not being married 4. Discernment [1 Corinthians 12:10] = Discerns between truth and error, good and evil, human and divine and serving God and self. A spiritual gift given when needed. 5. Evangelist [Ephesians 4:11] = Shares Jesus Christ naturally with those God has prepared to hear; one to whom people listen; prays easily for others to receive Jesus Christ into their lives. 6. Exhortation [Romans 12:8] = Speaks the truth in love; challenges, uplifts, encourages; sees spiritual dangers and speaks of them frankly and directly. 7. Faith [1 Corinthians 12:9] = Knows when God is doing a miracle; unshakeable knowledge that God people are given this gif as a ministry. 8. Giving [Romans 12:8] = A liberal cheerful attitude about giving. Ability to discern need and meet it. Responsible use of money and possessions for the extension of God’s Kingdom. 9. Healing [James 5:14-15] [1Corinthians 12: 9 & 30] = Praying effectively for those who need healing, physical, spiritual or emotional. Compassion for those who are ill. Some people are given this gift as a ministry. 10. Helper [1 Corinthians 12:28] = Helps with routine work freeing others for different ministries; often likes to work alone; has a humbleness of spirit about this gift. 11. Hospitality [Acts 16:15] = Warm and open hearted appreciation for other people; opens home to strangers, to the church, invites others to church, greets newcomers. 12. Intercession [James 5:16] Persistent in prayer, not daunted by long lists or seemingly unanswered prayer; prays regularly for other’s needs. 13. Knowledge [1 Corinthians 12:8] = Receives and recognizes a supernatural answer which is unlikely to be from the person’s own experience. A spiritual gift, most often used in the ministry of healing or counseling. 14. Leader [Romans 12:8] [2 Samuel 23:3-4] = Leads with tact, natural authority, clear direction; has the ability to see people’s gifts, encouraging and directing their use of the gifts; decision maker; looked to as a leader; has vision; is generally forward looking; helps to set goals. 15. Martyr [Acts 7:54-60] [1 Corinthians 13:3] = Lack of concern for personal safety or reputation when God calls to obedience; suffers quietly and peacefully when called by God to accept persecution when proclaiming the Gospel. 16. Mercy [Romans 12:8] = Bears another’s burdens and gives assistance and guidance; has a kind heart; empathy and helpfulness. 17. Miracles [1 Corinthians 12:10] Demonstrates God’s power in the resolution of an impossible situation. Prays for miracles, expects miracles, sees miracles. This is a spiritual gift, given when needed by the Body of Christ. 18. Missionary [Acts 13:2-3] = Teaches, pastors, evangelizes in a different culture; joy and excitement in ministering in different neighborhoods or other parts of the world. 19. Pastor [Ephesians 4:11] = Shepherds, counsels, cares about another’s spiritual walk; looks for lost sheep to bring back into the fold. 20. Prophecy [1 Corinthians 12:10] 14:1, 3,5 & 31] = Bold proclamation of God’s word; speaks out a word from the Lord in prayer meetings for encouragement, warning or consolation. A spiritual gift sometimes given to one person more than another. 21. Service [Romans 12:7] = Serves the poor, the disadvantaged, the parish, the community and the world; busy, productive, efficient, Marthas. 22. Teaching [Romans 12:7 and James 3:1] = Understands, communicates, imparts facts of the Christian life in such a way that others are uplifted and strengthened for work in the Body. 23. Wisdom [1 Corinthians 12:8] Acts on word of knowledge and prophecy; Recognizes the wisdom of speaking or acting in a counseling situation; discerning real problems as opposed to perceived problems; recognizes spiritual gifts in others. As Oscar Feucht said: “The individual Christian has a mission in the world no one else can perform for him [her], but the individual himself [herself]. It is untransferable. “We each have something of value to GIVE.” [page 15 – Church Volunteers] • Using our gifts –it is up to us. Use them appropriately and wisely. In our personal & spiritual passion – to be obedient, humble, simple, courteous • [No fault finder, no pointing finger, The Denial of Peter, the Betrayal of Judas] What I brought Home • Thanksgiving of the God’s given gift • Value of training and gaining additional knowledge and updated information • Habit of praying and sharing the good things, and pledge to Share to congregation • What do we want to accomplish/Bottom line: Equip to grow, more maturely and well-rounded, more sensitive, to know my responsibilities, yet, to recognize my limitations and not crossing boundaries, to remain respectful to others as part of the ONE BODY, appreciate what I have with thanksgiving. Live up in my commitment to serve HIM my best. • Building a Bridge Not breaking a ground and widen gap] • Plant a Church Visionary & Dreamer As a planter, be a doer, humble, simple, with fervent prayer Hope for a large harvest Be a doer, not a talker Proactive with positive attitude Planter/Launchers are: • Recruiter/Evangelist • Worship leader • Youth Ministry • Shepherd/caregiver • Intercessionist • Music Ministry • Computer wizard • General office worker/administrator • Marketing expert • Small group/Bible group o Revolutionary approach [planting rice is never fun] 1. Revolution of Attitude/Behavior 2. Revolution of Growth/Unlimited Giving [kamote plant] 3. Revolution of Relationship/Family/Community 4. Revolution of Stewardship/Time, Talent & Treasure & Trust V. Learning Process – seek improvement not perfection Humility - VI. Go Out to Serve In Action VI. WHAT TO DO NEXT AS MY MINISTRY AND STEWARDSHIP • To do my part within the scope of my responsibility as member of ONE BODY • I will remain humble, and give myself room for improvement – everyday. • Thank you Hawaii Diocese, St. Paul, Fr. Randy and fellow delegates, Dwayne Bueno and Fely Mariano and fellow members. VII. Recommendations: 1) Send more delegates, not once but 2x or 3x for continuity 2) To inspire young member or members to consider priesthood through scholarship grant ( ) Hawaii delegates: Fr. Bob Fitzpatrick, Fr. Wm Allport, Mimi Wu, Mike Kim, Keane Akao, Dwayne Bueno, Fely Mariano, Amado Yoro, others Room #311 with Mike Kim